Retired NASCAR driver among seven killed in North Carolina plane crash

One of the seven people who died in a plane crash in the southern United States has been identified as a former NASCAR driver.

Authorities claim Greg Biffle and other members of his family perished in a private jet crash at Statesville Regional Airport, north of Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday.

According to flight records, the  aircraft was associated with a Biffle-run business.

It is believed that Mr. Gregory Biffle and members of his immediate family were the passengers of the airplane, according to state police, despite the post-crash fire preventing us from releasing a definitive list of the occupants at this time.

We couldn’t immediately provide more information about the victims.

Biffle won more than 50 races in 16 different categories of car racing competitions offered by NASCAR, a US-based organization.

In the Cup Series, which is considered NASCAR’s top competition, he came in first in 19 races. Additionally, he won the 2002 Xfinity Series title and the Craftsman Truck Series championship in 2000.

According to tracking information provided by FlightAware.com, Biffle’s plane attempted to land there shortly after 10am local time on Thursday (15:00 GMT).

First responders rushed onto the runway as flames burned near the plane’s scattered wreckage, according to a video from WSOC-TV.

The crash was being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).